Source: United States Department of StateOffice of the Spokesman,
Washington, DC
The United States congratulates Bosnia and Herzegovina on its commitment to safely dispose of excess weaponry as a step toward enhanced regional security. The Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, working in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and our NATO allies, will assist Bosnia-Herzegovina as it moves forward with its plans to destroy 67,000 excess small arms and 20,000 tons of surplus conventional ammunition and explosive ordnance.
In a May 13 meeting with top defense officials at the Rajlovac military barracks outside Sarajevo, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs Thomas J. Masiello signed a Joint Statement reflecting our shared commitment to reducing threats posed by excess stockpiles. He also committed the United States to support efforts by Bosnia-Herzegovina to manage and sustain the demilitarization process, a key component in advancing its aspirations for NATO membership.
Bosnia-Herzegovina has been an active supporter of the Regional Approach to Stockpile Reduction (RASR), an ongoing U.S.-supported initiative to build partnerships among military officials in Southeastern Europe to lay the groundwork for collaborative efforts to address aging, excess, and loosely secured stockpiles and conventional munitions.
The United States is the world's single largest financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction. Since 1993, the United States has promoted peace and security through more than $1.5 billion in 47 countries for removal of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, and the safe disposal of small arms, light weapons, and ammunition.
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